Saddle and checkrein-hook.



J. S. BEALLE.

SADDLE AND CHECKREIN HOOK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18.1918- S E S S E N W W ATTORNEY m: mum) "an: :0, mamumn. lnuumorou. n c.

JOHN STOCKTON IBEALLE, OF WALDORF, MARYLAND.

SADDLE AND GHECKREIN-HOOK.

Application filed July 18, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN STOCKTON BEALLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waldorf, in the county of Charles and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Saddles andCheckrein-Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to saddles and more particularly to a harness saddle which is especially adapted for use in connection with working harness.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a saddle of the character stated of simple construction and operation which may be produced at small cost and which is of light and durable construction.

A further object is to provide a saddle composed of a plurality of members which are detachably secured together so as to be readily and easily assembled or disassembled for cleaning, repair, and other purposes.

Another object is to provide a saddle having means whereby the usual band or strap may be secured thereto so as to have its effective length readily varied in accordance with the girth of the particular animal in connection with which the saddle is used.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front view of a saddle constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view,

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 4: is a detail perspective of the check rein hook, I

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of means for securing one of the detachable girth-strap receiving members to the saddle.

In constructing the saddle, I provide a substantially V-shaped base frame 1, which is provided with the inner rounded portion 2 corresponding to the usual side pads in a harness saddle. This base frame 1s preferably formed of some light strong metal such as aluminum, or may be formed from strong light wood. The frame 1 is provided with a covering 3 of leather or other suitable material. A downwardly tapering groove fis provided in the upper face of each arm, its walls having lateral flanges 5 which converge downwardly. In this manner, each of the arms of the frame 1 is provided with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

Serial No. 245,530.

means for detachably securing the flexible girth-strap receiving members, and the ring members thereto. An end plate 6 is slidably mounted in each groove 4: of the arms of the base frame and is so shaped as to fit snugly within the groove, this plate bein provided with laterally projecting flanges I at its upper edge. Plate 6 flares upwardly so as to have its downward movement in groove 4: positively limited. This plate is provided at its lower end with two integral outwardly projecting spaced ears 8 which are provided with alined bores for receiving a securing pin 9 inserted through a spacin sleeve 10 and through the upper ends 0 links 11. By this means, the flexible girthstrap securing member designated generally by 12 is secured to the base frame 1 of the saddle, this member being constructed in the manner of a chain consisting of a plurality of links loosely connected, composed of link plates and bracing sleeves through which are inserted pins. As this construction is well known, it is not deemed necessary to further describe the construction of this member in detail. The saddle is thus provided at the lower end of each arm with a flexible girth-strap securing member, which is connected thereto in such a manner as to be easily detachable for repair when required. If it is desired to remove the flexible securing member 12, the end plate 6 is moved upwardly in the groove 4 so as to be disengaged from beneath the flanges 5, after which this plate may be raised out of the groove, thus detaching the plate from the base frame of the saddle. To attach member 12, the operation is reversed. As an additional safeguard against detachment of member 12 from the base frame 1, I provide one of the flanges 5 with an integral outwardly projecting lug 13 which is adapted for engagement by the depending shoulder 14 carried by one of the flanges 7. The shoulder and lug cooperate to positively prevent accidental withdrawal of the securing plate 6 in the event that this plate wears to such an extent as to permit downward movement thereof in the groove 4 to such an extent as to permit complete withdrawal of the plate downwardly.

A turret ring supporting plate 15 is slidably mounted on each arm of the saddle, this plate fitting snugly between the flanges 5 when in lowered position. When the plate 1.5 is in its lowermost position, it fits tightly in the groove 4: and about the flanges 5 defining this groove so as to be secured frictionally therein, the downward movement of this plate being limited in the same manner as the downward movement of the plate 6, the two plates 6 and 15 being in contact when in operative position so as to form, in effect, a continuous plate which presents a neat appearance and eliminates all unnecessary play or looseness. Each plate 15 carries a turret ring 16 of usual construction secured thereto. The turrent plates may be removed from the saddle by being moved upwardly thereon so as to disengage the body portion and the flanges 17 of the plate from the groove 4 and flanges 5 of the base frame 1. After the turret plate has been removed, the end plate 6 of the flexible securing member 12 may also be readily removed in the manner previously described. This permits the various elements of the saddle to be quicklyand easily assembled or disassembled for cleaning, repair, and other purposes. Also, in the event that one of the members of the saddle becoming broken or damaged to such extent as to render it useless, this member may be readily replaced thus effecting a material reduction in cost of repairs.

The frame 1 is provided, at its apex with a forwardly tapering dove-tailed groove 18 which receives the correspondingly shaped base 19 of a check rein hook 20. This hook may be of any suitable or standard construction, but it is preferably constructed similar to my safety check rein hook described and illustrated in my United States Patent 1,259,073. A set screw 21 is threaded through the forward end of base 19 and is adapted to engage the frame 1 at the bottom of groove 18 so as to force base 19 into binding engagement with the downwardly and outwardly inclined shoulders at the sides of the groove, thus effectually locking the hook or catch against accidental rearward displacement. As the base 19 of the catch 20 tapers forwardly the catch is securely locked against being drawn from the saddle by the pull exerted thereon by the check rein which is inserted through the catch. In the event of this catch being damaged, it may also be readily removed and replaced without the necessity of in any way altering or repairing the body portion of the saddle.

. The check rein hook 20 is provided, at each side, with a laterally projecting arcuate plate or arm 22 which conforms in curvature to the curvature of the upper portion of the saddle. These arms are ofsuch length that, when the check rein hook is in operative position, their lower ends engage snugly the upper ends of the turret ring plates 15. The arcuate arm 22 thus serves to effectually lock the plates 15 in operative position, these plates serving in-turn to secure the end attachment plates of the flexible girth-strap attaching members against upward movement. l/Vhen it is desired to disassemble the saddle, hook 20 is first removed, after which the plates 15 and 6 may be' readily removed in the manner previously described.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what maybe considered the preferred, or approvedform of my invention. It is to be understood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangement and; combination of parts, materials, dimensions, et. cetera, as may prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my'invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1. In a saddle, a base frame of substantially V-shape, said frame being provided inthe upper face of each arm with a down,- wardly tapering groove, attaching plates correspondin in taper with the taper of the grooves and tted in them, turret ring plates slidably mounted in the groovesand retained, in position in contact with said attaching plates, and turret rings carried by: said plates.

2. In a saddle, the combination with. a. substantially V-shaped base plate provided at its apexwith a forwardlytapering dovetail groove; of end attaching plates slidably mounted thereon and having their downward movement positively limited, said plates being adapted to have the ends. of girth-strap securing members fastened there'- to, turret ring plates slidably mounted on the arms of said base plate above said end plates and in engagement therewith, and a check rein catch having a forwardly tapering dovetail base fitting into said groove at the apex of thebase frame, said base having arms in engagement with thesaid turret. ring plates for preventing upward movement thereof.

3. In a saddle, a substantially \l-sh'aped frame provided with longitudinally extending downwardly tapering grooves in its arms, end attaching plates, slidable in said grooves, turret ring, plates slidably mounted in said grooves above the end attaching plates, and a check rein catch at the apex of the base frame and provided at each side.

with laterally projecting arms engaging the.

upper ends of the. turret rin plates so as to prevent upward movement 0 the same.

4. In a saddle, a substantially V-shaped frame provided with longitudinally extend"- ing downwardly converging dove-tailed grooves in each arm, end attaching plates slidable in said grooves, the body of each. plate conforming in cross section to the cross section of the groove in. which the plate is mounted, turret ring plates slidably mounted in said. grooves above the end attaching plates and conforming in cross section and ends of the turret ring plates so as to pretaper to the cross sectlon and taper of said vent upward movement of the same. 10 grooves, and a check rein catch secured at In testimon whereof I aflix my signature she aplezlzO 10f tlllie bise framedso as Itlolloe readily in presence 0 a witness.

5 etac a e t ere rom, sai catc ein rovided at each side with a laterally pr 'oiect- JOHN STOCKTON BEALLE' ing arm fitting about the upper portion of Witness: the saddle, said arms engaging the upper M. E. Jonns.

Copies of this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Oommluioner of Patents. Wnhing'tou, D. 0." 

